Search other Careers:

Search by Career

Occupation Info

Receptionist

Overview:

Receptionists answer questions asked by persons coming into an establishment regarding the location of persons, offices and departments. They may remotely control door entrance locks for security reasons, operate telephone switchboards and type using a computer-PC workstation.

Duties:

They intercept all visitors coming into an organization or place of business to determine the purpose of their visit. They answer questions and direct them to appropriate offices, employees, etc.

They place telephone calls to workers within the organization to announce visitors and to provide instructions, explanations and directions to the visitors.

They answer external telephone calls and direct them to employees by a lobby switchboard. They may use a computer-based information display terminal to find answers for detailed questions.

They may perform typing duties to prepare visitor 'passes' or badges to be worn during the visit. They control electronic locks that open doorway entrances for visitors.

Employment of receptionists is expected to grow faster than average through 2018 resulting from growth in industries such as physicians offices and other health practitioners, legal services, personal care services, construction, and management and technical consulting.

Salary Range (National Average):

$22,000 to $26,000

Education Level:

The typical training required for this career is generally a High School Degree or GED Certificate.

Additional Training/Education:

Employers prefer high school, or equivalent, graduates with a basic knowledge of computer application, such as word processing and good interpersonal communications. Almost all employers provide on-the-job training. A knowledge of a second language can be helpful.

Recommended Skills:

Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.

Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.

Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.

Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.

Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.

Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.

The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.

Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Recommended Values:

Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time.

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreementswith other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.